The Red Baron

September 7, 1986

CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO — Genaro Guerra shot down 52 planes in seven years. The deserts of northwestern Mexico are strewn with the proof of his marksmanship with a rifle. The man whose last name is the Spanish word for war and whose nickname is the Red Baron is the new boss of the Juarez sector of the Mexican customs service. He is expected to take over this week. Guerra organized Resguardo Aeara, a three-plane customs air force, in 1976 and rode shotgun until he took a desk job in 1983. He says he always gave smugglers a chance to land before firing at engines and gas tanks. No one was ever killed.